Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Ken Boshcoff on Monday participated in the symposium on the future of the forest industry in Canada, hosted by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada and the Forest Products Association of Canada.
“The industry is undergoing a transition period and needs federal support to work through the process of renewal,” said Boshcoff.
The action plan includes the following demands for the federal government:
•a national summit on the future of the forest industry as soon as possible;
•creation of a sectoral council for the pulp and paper and primary forest industry to evaluate the long-term needs of the industry (its goal would be to identify needs regarding training and work-related skill development, would seek to attract young workers, and would promote lifelong learning to help workers to be better prepared for the labour market);
•a national adjustment fund for forest communities to provide just transition in the event of closures and restructuring;
•assistance for exports and development of new markets for Canadian forest products; and
•financial incentives for innovation, commercial development of new products and technologies, research in biotechnology, and more rapid capital renewal.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
